Ground Broken for Oregon Student Housing

By Dees Stribling, Contributing Editor

Eugene, Ore.—Work is under way on University House Arena District, a new 244-bed student housing development near the University of Oregon. The property is being developed by Inland American Communities, a wholly owned subsidiary of Inland American Real Estate Trust Inc., in partnership with a local developer.

The five-story property is about two blocks from campus. It will feature two- and four-bedroom floor plans, as well as a garage with 81 spaces for resident parking. Similar to other University House properties by Inland American, amenities will include an active outdoor courtyard area, an Internet café with Apple computers, no-extra-charge printing and a 24-hour conference room.

The building is being built to achieve LEED Silver certification. Green initiatives include solar roof panel systems to generate hot water, energy-efficient heating systems, low-energy light fixtures, and low-VOC paints, sealants and adhesives.

The university currently has undergraduate enrollment of about 20,600, but it anticipates enrollment to expand to as many as 24,000 in the near future, necessitating additional housing. In the fall of 2012, the university completed the on-campus Global Scholars Hall, where about 450 students live.

Dallas-based Inland American owns student-housing properties totaling more than 7,300 beds in 3,300 units in nine states. Also under construction by the company are 1,189 beds serving California State University at Fullerton students, and Cityville at Cityplace, a 356-unit apartment property in Dallas.